Contributed Content
There comes a time in every parent’s life when they make a big mistake with their child. It feels like the worst thing that has ever happened and you’re bound to be racked with guilt. But the truth is, it might be the first time, but it certainly won’t be the last. Every parent makes a lot of mistakes, it goes with the territory. It’s hard not to, but you can’t feel guilty every time you make one of these common mistakes that every parent is bound to make at some point.
Accidentally Hurting Their Child
Protecting your child is the most important thing, but sometimes, they’re going to get bumps and scrapes. I challenge you to find any parent that hasn’t accidentally hurt their child at some point. When they’re running around playing they can easily get knocked over and hurt themselves. Parents often feel ashamed that they’ve hurt their child but the reality is, it’s a perfectly normal thing that happens to everybody. As long as you’re being as careful as you can be and looking after your child’s health, you don’t have anything to worry about.
Not Asking For Help
Being too proud and not asking for help is a huge mistake that so many parents make. The idea that asking for help is somehow admitting defeat is ridiculous but so many parents think that way. Asking friends and family for help is one way to reduce the workload but there are also plenty of great resource for new parents online that can give you helpful information and help you to be the best parent that you can be. Not making use of all of the help that is out there is only going to harm you.
Not Talking About Sex
Talking about sex with your children is one of the most awkward situations that anybody can be in. But avoiding it completely is the worst thing that you can do. If you don’t have an open and frank discussion with them then when they get older, they’ll put themselves in dangerous situations. They won’t understand how to practice safe sex and that will be far worse than having an uncomfortable conversation with your child.
Praising Them Too Much
All parents think that their child can do no wrong, but this is a dangerous attitude to have. If you praise your child for every little thing and don’t ever discipline them, they’ll grow up with a bad outlook on life. They will grow up thinking that they should only do something if they get rewarded for it, which is a very selfish attitude to have.
Being Over Critical
While it’s important not to over praise them, you can take it too far the other way. Parents that are overly critical of every little mistake that their child makes will seriously knock their confidence. In future, they’ll be afraid to put themselves out there and try new things because of fears that they will fail and be reprimanded by their parents.
There is no strict formula for parenting and you’re bound to make mistakes along the way, but you aren’t alone.
